195 kilometers will be left for the winner of the 2018 Giro dell'Emelia. Or Emilia as it's often called outside the MG universe. But who will prevail there is obviously still unknown. But with a very hilly stage up ahead, the winner will be a heroic one for sure.
Kinoshita was mentioned as the big favourite in yesterday's preview, but the Italian TV is not so sure. They think Flügel and McCarthy have a chance too – if not more!
The race however starts off with 50 almost entirely flat kilometers. This leaves a lot of room to any type of rider to join the breakaway and get some airtime. And it certainly shows. As with the starting line still in this image, Huynh opens the race with a breakaway attempt. Interesting move from the Meiji rider, which almost makes you wonder: Is Kinoshita ill today?
Moulingui, Aulas and Kulimbetov try to join him, but the pack is having none of it.
Second attempt then: Ngamoki-Cameron Shapira decide to try it this time.
They are joined by Aulas and Ford and form the break of the day! Only four riders then, which means there isn't much confidence in a breakaway victory.
They reach quite a decent margin: 6,5 minutes with 100 kilometers to go. In the peloton, led by Pokidov,it's Novatek, Kraftwerk, Ayubowan and sometimes Meiji controlling the gap.
With 44 kolometers to go and the peloton slowly losing riders, we can see something weird: It's Waeytens and Betancourt being behind?! There was no notice of a flat tyre or anything, they're just... Not trying? We all know they aren't performing well but what the hell is this? They're chilling three minutes behind the peloton already!
Many teammates are dropping back to help them, though.
It doesn't look like they are coming back.. And with 25 kilometers to go, we have to look at the race's finale. Two hills until the final one, and the peloton is getting smaller and smaller: Only 38 riders are left. This obviously means that good puncheurs are dropping. The first real victim is Costa! A very poor performance from him, but we're almost at the top of the second-final climb. So maybe he still has a chance to come back?
Also in this group are outsiders Moazemi and Bystrom.
Interestingly, outside of the cameras, Betancourt has made it back to the peloton and is in it to win it once again!
Time for the penultimate climb then. 44 riders in the peloton. None of the aforementioned riders are behind. False alarm then, though it must've been a shock or two for the managers.
And here we gooo! With 15 kilometers left McCarthy is the first rider to attack!
Kinoshita immediately joins his wheel. Flügel, Froome and Anuar Aziz try the same, but have to leave a gap...
Over the top, we can see Schreurs has been able to cling on as well, which means we have a six-man group! 43 seconds for them, but now a portion of a flat road will start. The riders will have to keep rotating to stay ahead of the peloton.
(The Xero rider is a lap behind.)
Speaking of that peloton, only 18 riders are left there, meaning there are a lot less opportunities for teammates to help relayng. Waeytens and Betancourt are the only favourites missing out on this group.
And the first six refuse to ride! Which means the groups have molten together again! Izagirre and Roux were the most active chasers there. We're going to get one hell of a finale...
Onto the final climb then, with 2 kilometers to go. Kinoshita is controlling the pace, but certainly isn't going at full speed yet.
McCarthy passes him with 1,5 kilometers to go and opens the sprint! No matter what the result will be, he certainly was the most agressive rider today.
McCarthy drags Kinoshita and Flügel with him, and look at the gap! These three are going to fight for the top of the podium. McCarthy is certainly keeping a high pace, will anyone even be able to attack him?
400 meters... Flügel can't follow the pace, so this will become a two-horse race? Who will it be, McCarthy or Kinoshita?
It's McCarthy! The most dominant rider today was able to finish it off. Great result by the rider of Ayubowan, who is showing he's ready to tackle the biggest puncheurs in the world should their team promote.
Kinoshita has to settle with a silver trophy. Still very much okay of course, but with the season he's had, he must've hoped for victory.
Flügel tried to stay with the winners for a bit too long and has to let Di Maggio pass for third! Certainly a surprising result for this mad lad, who must've taken adventage from the home crowd.
Fifth place will be for Kwiatkowski who tried his best to keep his team alive for a bit longer. Izagirre and Roux finish behind them. Both should be pleased with this result for sure.
Schreurs and Anuar Aziz finish 8th and 9th. Both probably would've hoped for a bit better. Caruso closes the top 10 and should have gotten a nice confidence boost for an adventure in the CT next season.
Among the losers today, between some lapped riders: Froome in 13th, Costa in 15th and Bystrom in 17th.
Also, Betancourt in 32rd...
And Waeytens in 34th. Together with Moazemi. No words.
And with those rides of shame we have to conclude the coverage of the 2018 Giro dell'Emelia. The new route certainly brought some interesting actuon near the end. With two great powerhouses winning rhe race, and a wildcard in third bringing the local TV station a massive reason to smile. Until next year! Ciao!
Giro dell'Emelia
